Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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Muscles & Bones
/ Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

So onto MTX

amberhere
amberhere
Hi everyone, just an update - I went to see my Rheumy today and he said that although the Plaquenil I had been on for 5 months had helped the DM rash, it hasn't done much for anything else - but my bloodwork is fine. As I am still getting really swollen hands and a lot of muscle pain, he has decided on the MTX treatment. I will still have to take the Plaquenil and my Prednisolone (9mg) with a view to tapering as soon as possible. So its back to the drawing board - fingers crossed it will work - he said if I kept on the steroids for a long time I WILL get side effects but on the DMARDS you MAY get side effects. Weather really miserable and cold here in England, lots of floods - roll on the sunshine!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds like a good plan. It is all about how you feel, the labs can help some but not all to know how their disease is progressing. Keeping the muscle damage at bay is the key. 5 months is a good long time to try one med before adding another. sending you all the best, shawna
autumm
autumm
All the best Amberhere. Hope it goes well and does the job. Autumm
trpt1
trpt1
Amberhere, I hope the MTX will work well for you. It sounds like your doctor has a good plan with your care.

I also had swollen arms and hands at the beginning of my DM. The steroids and MTX did get rid of my swollen arms & hands.

It is cold here in Houston, Texas. I think the whole country is getting hit pretty hard with the weather. You should visit Texas some time. We have a big rodeo going on in Houston. If you google, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo then you can see some pictures of our excellent events - Lots of fun!
Buttercup-Kitty
Buttercup-Kitty
Meow,

I take six MTX pills every Sun afternoon with lunch.

First dose, I got diarrhea, but my stomach got used to it after that. 2nd dose was okay.

I think it helps, but I'm hopeful to be off of it soon.

Good luck with it.
Purr,
=^.,.^=
pluggingon
pluggingon
When I took the MTX pills I lost a lot of hair. Switched to the weekly injections and found them to be much better all around. Wish you the best.